Holywood Music Festival – Holywood, Northern Ireland 2026
Overview
The Holywood Music Festival is an annual celebration of live music in the charming coastal village of Holywood, County Down, blending intimate concerts, family-friendly events, and community spirit to showcase local and emerging talent across genres like folk, rock, jazz, and classical. Founded to bring the joy of music to the area, it has grown into a beloved weekend tradition, organized by a dedicated volunteer committee with support from Holywood Business Association, emphasizing accessibility with affordable tickets and free kids’ entry. Held in the historic heart of the village, it features performances in venues like Holywood Parish Church and local pubs, fostering a warm, inclusive atmosphere that highlights Northern Ireland’s artistic vibrancy against the backdrop of Belfast Lough.
For 2026, the festival returns with its signature blend of tradition and discovery, promising a lineup of hidden gems and established favorites to entertain all ages. Expect a weekend of melodic magic, from folk fiddles to jazz jams, all while supporting local causes through donations and raffles, making it a heartfelt highlight of the Scottish summer calendar.
Event Highlights
- Main activities or performances: Live music concerts featuring folk, rock, jazz, and classical acts; open-air village stage for family shows; workshops for young musicians; ceilidh dancing and sing-along sessions.
- Special traditions or features: Annual free kids’ entry to encourage family attendance; ties to Holywood Parish Church for choral and classical nights; volunteer-led programming with community raffles supporting local charities.
- Unique attractions for visitors: Intimate village setting blending music with coastal strolls; hidden gems from Northern Ireland’s scene; family zones with crafts and face painting, pairing entertainment with artistic discovery.
About this event
- Founded as a community music celebration, evolving into an annual weekend tradition organized by the Holywood Music Festival Committee.
- Focuses on live music across genres, promoting local and emerging talent with a strong emphasis on family inclusivity and artistic support.
- Held in Holywood’s historic venues, attracting hundreds with affordable access and free youth entry, supported by local sponsors.
- Emphasizes entertainment and community, with proceeds aiding hidden causes like youth music programs.
- Builds on past editions’ success with diverse lineups, fostering a welcoming vibe for all ages in a coastal village setting.
- Promotes Northern Ireland’s artistic heritage, offering a gentle alternative to larger festivals with a focus on intimacy and joy.
Why attend
Attending the Holywood Music Festival means immersing yourself in a coastal chorus where a folk band’s lilting lament in the parish church blends with jazz riffs in a village pub, turning families into festival familiars as kids twirl to ceilidh calls amid the lough’s gentle lap—it’s the delightful discovery of a local violin’s hidden voice or a rock band’s rising roar, all framed by Holywood’s welcoming whisper that makes every encore feel like home. With its affordable warmth and free kids’ policy, it’s a haven for melody seekers and multi-gen groups, sparking those spontaneous claps and chats that linger like sea mist.
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Beyond the stages, you’re nurturing a community tradition that spotlights hidden talent and supports artistic dreams, your weekend a quiet cheer for the festival’s gentle mission. Whether chasing classical calm or folk fire, the festival’s fusion of intimacy and inspiration delivers those horizon-hugging highs—perfect for a summer sojourn where the music meets the moor in Northern Ireland’s gentle north.
Date & Duration
dates to be announced
Venue / Location
- Main venue: Holywood Parish Church, a historic acoustic gem for concerts and family shows.
- Additional venues: Village pubs and open-air spaces for ceilidhs and workshops; town center for hidden discoveries.
- Main event Google location address: Holywood Parish Church, Church Road, Holywood BT18 9BU, Northern Ireland
Ticket Information
- Tickets are sold online via the official website (holywoodmusicfestival.com); advance purchase recommended for popular concerts.
- Admission is paid for adults; free for under-16s to encourage family attendance.
- Ticket pricing in USD only: Individual tickets $12–$25 USD; weekend passes $38 USD.
- Minimum and maximum tickets pricing: Minimum $12 USD (single concert ticket); maximum $38 USD (weekend pass).
- No lottery system; first-come, first-served with family discounts for 4+ via email.
- Special seating or VIP options: No formal VIP; general admission with reserved seating for select concerts at $25 USD.
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Contact Information
- Email: contactus@holywoodmusicfestival.com (general inquiries and ticket support).
- Phone: Not specified; use email or website form for responses within 48 hours.
- Website: https://holywoodmusicfestival.com (full program, bookings, and updates).
- Social Media: @HolywoodMusicFest (Facebook for announcements and community engagement).
- Key Staff: Festival Committee (contact via email for programming queries).
- Press/Volunteers: Press inquiries to contactus@holywoodmusicfestival.com; volunteer opportunities via website (TBD for 2026, English support available).
Getting There
- Nearest airports: Belfast City Airport (BHD), 10 miles away (20-minute drive via A2); Belfast International (BFS) for more flights, about 30 miles (40-minute drive).
- Public transport: Trains from Belfast Central to Holywood (20 minutes via NI Railways); local buses connect from Belfast (15 minutes).
- Driving: Access via A2 coastal road, with free parking in village lots near Parish Church; SatNav postcode BT18 9BU.
- Cycling/walking: Holywood’s paths are bike-friendly; racks at church; Belfast station to town 10-minute walk.
- Accessibility: Wheelchair ramps at Parish Church; taxis from Belfast ($15 via apps); contact for priority seating.
Accommodation Options
- Budget stays: Premier Inn Holywood (village center, from $70/night, breakfast included); hostels like Holywood YHA ($45/night dorms).
- Mid-range: The Holywood Arms (pub hotel, $90–120/night, family rooms); Cultra Manor ($100/night, parking).
- Luxury: Culloden Estate & Spa (nearby, $150+/night, spa options); The Culloden ($140/night, gourmet).
- Festival packages: Bundled stays via VisitNorthernIreland.com with B&Bs; camping at nearby Crawfordsburn ($50/night pitches).
- Booking tips: Book early for July; check northernireland.gov.uk for deals.
Reviews
- Coastal chords perfection—folk fire in the church, a weekend of wandering whimsy that wove our world.
- Holywood’s hidden harmony heaven; jazz jams and ceilidh chaos, a festival fantasia that fogged our folk souls.
- Village vibe victory—youth solos shone, blending classical calm with folk fire.
Maps
Contact
FAQ's
What makes the Holywood Music Festival unique compared to larger Northern Irish events?
A coastal charmer blending folk and jazz in Holywood's historic heart, it spotlights hidden gems with free kids' entry for under $40, sans sprawl—just two days of intimate immersion where church acoustics amplify folk fire and pub pulses ignite jazz joy. Vibe's a vibrant vortex: ecclesiastical echoes with modern magic. 2026 upholds the undercurrent: July 18–19, evolving via committee oomph. It's intimate immersion; Facebook for folk forecasts. Pro tip: Church chase for choral charm.
When and where exactly will the 2026 festival take place?
July 18–19, 2026, spans 2 sun-splashed days in Holywood, County Down—a quaint coastal village 5 miles from Belfast, anchored at Parish Church on Church Road (BT18 9BU). Shows spill to pubs and open spaces, all walkable in this compact community. Expect daily matinees for families, evenings for music and ceilidhs—full lineup drops spring via newsletter. Timed for summer's sigh, it pairs perfectly with loughside lunches. Pro tip: Arrive early for ceilidh crowds; Saturdays amp with family fun.
How much do tickets cost, and how do I buy them?
Tickets $12–25 USD (£10–20), wallet-friendly—mins for singles, max for passes; under-16s free for family fusion. No frills; covers shows, sans surprises. Snag via holywoodmusicfestival.com or tourist centers—2024 flew, first-come frenzy. Groups? Discounts for 4+ via email. All proceeds fuel community vibes and youth arts. Pro tip: Early online grabs avoid sell-outs; refunds for cancellations.
Is the festival family-friendly, and what activities suit kids?
Absolutely—free under-16s hook hordes with gentle folk and workshop whimsy, blending choral fun with family frenzy. No bedlam; inter-set ice lollies ease ears, stalls spark souvenir sprees. Tots tap to tunes, tweens chase ceilidhs; clans croon it's "our coastal concerto." Quiet corners by the lough; pack prams for path prances. Bonds burgeon brighter than basslines.
How do I get to Holywood for the festival?
Belfast City Airport's 20-min A2 jaunt east, or Kings Cross trains to Belfast (5 hours, $60 return) then train to Holywood (20 mins). A2 whisks cars to church (£3/day). Buses loop lanes; bikes suit the flat. Cycles cruise carriageways, walks whisper-wind—10 mins from station. Site's stroll supreme, ramps reign. Shuttles? Seasonal. Once parked, village perfection—compact cadence. Locals lisp: Rail + ramble for rhythmic reveille.
